CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: INTERACCESS CURATORIAL INTERNSHIP

Call for applications: Curatorial Internship at InterAccess, Toronto
Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2009

InterAccess is seeking an organized and motivated student or recent graduate for our annual Curatorial Internship.

InterAccess is dedicated to expanding the cultural space of technology. We fulfill our mandate through our internationally renown exhibition programmes, media production studio and innovative educational activities. A unique centre in the country, InterAccess has been at the forefront of electronic and new media arts in Canada since 1983. For more information about InterAccess visit www.interaccess.org .

Nature and Scope of Position

Reporting to the Director and supervised by the Assistant Curator/Public Programmes Manager, the Curatorial Intern is given the opportunity to learn about all aspects of programming within an artist-run, media arts centre environment. This unpaid internship is ideally 7-14 hours per week from February through April, approximately 7-10 hours per week from May through August, and extended hours during the weeks leading up to the exhibition, and is slated to begin February 2009.

This Curatorial Internship programme began in 2001 and is an ideal placement for an undergraduate student in his or her final year of study. Students may also use this internship for independent study credit. Past Curatorial Interns at InterAccess have gone on to work in such institutions as the Doris McCarthy Gallery at the University of Toronto, Xpace Gallery in Toronto, Space Media Arts in London UK, FACT, Liverpool, Transmediale in Berlin, Germany, and many go on to complete a masters in curatorial studies.

The primary responsibility of the Curatorial Intern is the development of the annual Emerging Artist exhibition. The intern will develop a coherent and relevant theme for the exhibition, select approximately five works from graduating new media students within Southern Ontario and Canada, assist in drafting an exhibition budget, develop promotional strategies, write a curatorial statement and manage the installation of the exhibition in July 2009. The 2006 Emerging Artist Exhibition, Press Play, received a rave review in the Toronto Star, and the 2007 exhibition, 2 Steps Back, received a glowing review in the Globe and Mail. The curator also publishes a 1500 word essay in the InterAccess brochure series. This opportunity provides wide exposure for both the curator and the artists.

The Curatorial Intern also assists with other duties at InterAccess. He or she is an invited participant on the InterAccess Programme Advisory Council (PAC). Additional duties may include organizing submissions for review, assisting with distribution of listings and other communications duties, assisting with installation and event set-up, researching materials for upcoming exhibitions and events, general office assistance and gallery sitting.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be in his or her final year of study in a related programme at a post-secondary institution in the GTA (or within commuting distance). Recent graduates will also be considered.

He or she will possess:

• Strong knowledge of contemporary media and visual art practices, especially within Canada.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (Mac environment).
• Superior organizational skills.
• The ability to deal with diverse public audiences; must be friendly and tactful.
• The ability to work in a self-directed manner as well as in a team environment.

This unpaid internship offers a small curatorial honorarium upon successful completion. This internship may be used for course credit, if applicable to the intern's programme of study.

How to apply

Submissions must include:

• Your CV.
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) detailing your experiences and interest in media arts.
  
• A short statement of a possible theme to be explored for the Emerging Artist exhibition (250 words).
  
• Names and contact information for two referees, preferably one academic and one professional.

Please send submissions to:
Dana Samuel, Director
InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre
9 Ossington Avenue
Toronto, Ontario Canada
M6J 2Y8

InterAccess does not accept email proposals. Please send your application via post. Thanks!

We thank all applicants for their time and interest in InterAccess, however please understand that our application process is highly competitive. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.